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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Matt Roper & Amy Denman

Heartbreaking scenes at Paul O'Grady's funeral as Battersea dogs form guard of honour

Paul O'Grady fans have been moved to tears over the beautiful tributes for the animal-loving TV star as dogs line the streets to celebrate the star's life.

TV star Paul, who was an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, is being laid to rest in Aldington, Kent.

A private funeral is being hosted by Paul's beloved husband Andre Portasio while a fan named Janine Ferguson, has planned a sweet event in Paul's hometown of Birkenhead, Liverpool to celebrate the Lily Savage star.

Dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home will form a guard of honour as part of his private Kent funeral service in Kent and are on the route of his cortège before greeting guests with another two dogs at the church.

Four of the dogs from Paul's beloved charity were pictured arriving in Adlington with their handlers.

The dogs from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home will form a guard of honour at Paul's funeral (Daily Mirror)

Labrador Elsie, who the star met, will line up on the street along with Shitzu-Jack Russell cross Digby, Chiwuawua Betty and Barney, a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle and Bichon.

All the dogs have been adopted by staff at the dog rescue charity, which was so close to Paul's heart.

Lisa Porter, senior veterinary nurse at Battersea Dogs Home, who adopted Elsie, said: "A number of celebrity ambassadors come on site, but Paul was definitely the one that spoke most to staff, he was just quite inclusive and would chat to everyone.

All the dogs have been adopted by staff at the dog rescue charity, which was so close to Paul's heart (PA)

"Some of the others would come and you wouldn't see them, but Paul would mingle and chat.

"He was really warm and knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about dogs."

As well as the dogs and handlers who have come down to pay their respects, three others from Battersea Dogs Home will be attending the funeral, including clinical director Shaun Opperman and Ali Taylor.

The charity are paying their respects to Paul, who was an ambassador (PA)

And it wasn't just Battersea dogs and staff who came out to celebrate the Lily Savage star's life as fans also travelled to his Kent hometown to pay their respects.

Paul's husband also invited fans to line the streets as the funeral procession makes its way through Paul's adoptive Kent hometown ahead of the service.

Retired couple Jaqueline and Martin Laurie came down from Barnet, north London, to pay their respects, bringing their dogs Millais, a cockapoo, and spaniel Beau, both aged ten.

Fans also brought their dogs to Paul's hometown to pay their respects (SplashNews.com)
One pup had a sign for Paul to think him for all his work with animals (PA)

Jacqueline said: "We just wanted to say goodbye, bring the dogs and remember Paul O'Grady.

"I remember him mostly from his Lily Savage days. He was a great man and a great ambassador for many causes, and not just dogs, also LBTGQ, AIDS, Save The Children.

"And obviously the program with the dogs was just a delight, it was nice to watch something, but has a happy ending. 

Heartbreaking scenes at Paul O'Grady's funeral as Battersea dogs form guard of honour (PA)

"He was just an all around kind person who used his celebrity status to promote these courses in a big way, he dedicated so much of his life to them.

"That's got to be admired, and I think we should all try to be more like Paul."

Paul's fan Janine also shared plans for people to bring their dogs to line the streets of Birkenhead in Liverpool as a mark of respect for Paul, who filmed one final series of Paul O'Grady for the Love of Dogs before his unexpected death.

The dogs formed as a guard of honour for Paul's funeral (PA)

"The plan is for people to line the streets with their families and bring their dogs as a sign of respect," Janine said.

"I’ve asked for all local rescue dogs and cats' homes to attend as well so we can collect donations from everyone there."

TV icon Paul died "unexpectedly and peacefully" at home aged 67 on March 28.

The Battersea dogs all came out to honour dog-lover Paul (PA)

The sad news was confirmed in a statement by his husband Andre, which read: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.

"We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.

"He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.

Paul O' Grady died last month aged 67 (Channel 4)

"I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years."

Days before his funeral, Paul's official death certificate confirmed the TV star died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia.

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